The timeless magic of physical books for young readers

• Owners of bookstores in Colombo observe that the joy generated from holding a physical book in a person’s hand remains unparalleled
• Slowly it seems physical books have staged a remarkable comeback, reminding us of their timeless appeal
• Books bond families, increase language skills and foster imagination

It has become such that, technology dominates every aspect of our lives, but over the years there has been a resurgence in physical book reading, especially among young readers. As Rohan Kannangara, the owner of the reputed bookstore known as Rohan’s Bookstore at Liberty Plaza, Colombo, has observed, the joy of holding a physical book remains unparalleled. He further states, “It is quite true that people are getting back to bookstores because you cannot replace the feel of a physical book in your hand with a Kindle or an eBook,” His store, a treasure trove of carefully curated books, has witnessed the fluctuations of book sales over the years. According to him, though there was a decline in book sales due to the advent of eBooks and Kindles, and people were predicting the closure of bookstores, slowly it seems physical books have staged a remarkable comeback, reminding us of their timeless appeal. The Publishing Manager at Sarasavi Publishers (Pvt) Ltd, Sripala Perera had this to say, “There is a trend of an increase in sales of physical books, but as book prices continue to soar, people are struggling to buy them as easily as before.” While specific statements from Sri Lankan neuroscientists on the benefits of reading physical books to children are not readily available, the importance of reading in child development is universally acknowledged. 

It is quite true that people are getting back to bookstores because you cannot replace the feel of a physical book in your hand with a Kindle or an eBook

Rohan Kannangara, Proprietor Rohan’s Bookstore (Liberty Plaza)

Physical bookstores underscore the availability and promotion of printed books in Sri Lanka, supporting the reader’s cognitive and emotional development through reading. Time magazine’s (time.com) article on “Book banning is a threat to our health” by Dr Sayatani Das Gupta, a paediatrician and founder of the Master’s Program in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University, emphasises the critical role of reading in child development. She notes that books bond families, increase language skills and Foster imagination. Reading to children offers powerful benefits such as improving attention and emotional regulation. Das Gupta highlights the importance of children’s and young adult fiction in nurturing empathy and creativity, essentially in tackling issues faced by society. She criticises book banning, arguing it silences diverse voices and harms our imagination and understanding. She calls for defending the freedom to read, saying that stories are vital for young people for a better future.

Benefits of shared reading

Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) encourages parents and caregivers to read aloud with their newborns and young children to foster loving, nurturing relationships during the critical time of brain development. Shared reading supports language literacy, and social-emotional growth, laying the foundation for the school environment. The AAP emphasises that print books rather than digital alternatives offer the greatest benefits for child development and social interactivity according to Neuroscience News. 

There is a trend of an increase in sales of physical books, but as book prices continue to soar, people are struggling to buy them as easily as before

Sripala Perera, Publishing Manager Sarasavi Publishers (Pvt) Ltd

Furthermore, a study highlighted by Neuroscience News found that children who begin reading for pleasure early in life tend to perform better on cognitive tests and have better mental health when they enter adolescence. The research suggests that an optimal reading duration of 12 hours per week results in improved brain structure and mental health. The pleasure of reading fosters better verbal learning, memory and speech development, which shows decreased stress, depression and behavioural issues. These insights emphasise the importance of promoting physical books and reading from an early age to support children’s cognitive and emotional development. Eye strain and vision problems are caused by prolonged screen time which leads to blurred vision and dry eyes in children, and the blue light from screens interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for inducing sleep, playing a key role in regulating sleep-wake cycles, resulting in a negative effect for brain development, strengthening of neural connections essential for learning, memory and the processing of information that occur during sleep in the human brain. People who don’t get enough sleep also struggle with focus, processing information and completing tasks efficiently. They tend to become irritable, have mood swings and have difficulty managing stress because only a well-rested brain is better equipped to handle emotional challenges. Excessive screen time also affects a person’s mental health and results in a lack of energy and alertness. So these negative features of technology could be reduced, especially in growing children if they are taught the benefit of reading physical books, providing a focused immersive and enjoyable experience helpful in strengthening comprehension and relaxation of the mind. A child who reads will grow up to be a confident communicator and lifelong learner. They will understand the world better, dream bigger and approach challenges creatively. Therefore when a child picks up a book, it is not “just reading but it is planting seeds of wisdom, curiosity and kindness,” to blossom in future generations. 

(The writer is a teacher and a graduate of the University of Colombo)